Footwear



v R. MALING FOOTWEAR March 23, 1948.

Filed Sept. 19, 1945 Patented Mar. 23, 1948 UNITED -sTATEs TENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to Wear.

More particularly it provides an improved moccasin type shoe and slipper structure.

It is an object of the invention to provide moccasin types of footwear having provision therein for supporting the arch of the wearers foot.

Another object is to provide a moccasin type of footwear wherein a cushioning platform intervenes between the tread sheet and the foot of the wearer.

It is, moreover, my purpose and object generally to improve upon prior shoe-making procedures and prior footwear structures, especially as applied to moccasin types of shoes and slippers.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure l is a perspective View of a, pre-stitched upper lining and sock-lining;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a platform and improvements in footy heel unit;

Figure 3 is a perspective of a mocc'asin base sheet pre-formed for reception therein of the elements shown in Figures l and 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective of the forepart top element which is laced in place in Figure 5; and

Figure 5 is a side elevation of an assembled shoe embodying features of the invention, with portions broken away to show the interior structure.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 illustrates a lining l0 and a sock-lining I2 stitched together at I'll all around the elements. The lining and sock-lining may be of any suitable material but I prefer to employ leather in order to provide serviceable and attractive surfaces which are to be exposed interiorly of the shoe.

In Fig. 3 there is shown a pre-formed moccasin base sheet I6 which is a single sheet, preferably of flexible and relatively heavy leather stock, so that its portion I8 which constitutes the tread surface will be durably strong and wear-resisting. A suitable blank is stamped out or otherwise cut from a larger sheet, and the blank may be formed into the general shape as shown in Fig. 3, being stitched at 20 at the rear and at 22, 24 at the forepart, so that an open-top receptacle is provided having integral bottom and side walls. The sheet I6 may be shaped and stitched on a suitable form, if desired, although a properly cut blank easily may be shaped and stitched with suicient accuracy without the aid of a form. If the forepart top sheet 26 of Fig. 4 is to be laced in place, as shown in Fig. 5, it will be provided l unit 32 is provided as best seen in Fig. 2. This may be composite of a full length platform element 36, of felt or other suitable' resilient material, and a heel lift element 38 which may be of wood or other rigid material. If desired the heel lift may be of resilient material with any known variety of shank stiffener within the composite unit structure.

With the pre-formed elements of Figs. 1 4 ready, the shoe 0f Fig. 5 may be assembled by placing the platform and heel unit 32 in the preformed unitary sheet receptacle I6, and then lowering the pre-stitched lining and sock-lining unit into the receptacle I6 above the unit 32. Then, while holding the elements in assembled relation, the top edges of the sheet receptacle I@ and the top edges of the lining lil are stitched together at lili all around the shoe. Preferably, the lining, at its rear top edge, will have flap portions 42, 44 for being turned over the raw edge of the sheet I6 as a binding, as shown at E in Fig. 5.

A more stable product will be attained if, prior to assembly of the pre-formed elements, the surfaces which are to rest together are coated with adhesive to prevent relative slip of the associated elements in the finished shoe.

If desired, a form or last plate may be inserted in the shoe to press the base elements together while the sheet l@ is being drawn tight and stitched at Il@ to the lining although the preforming of the elements`l enables assembly without any form.

After stitching at 4?, the top sheet 26 may be laid in place and laced to sheet I6 at the forepart, as indicated at 'i8 in Fig. 5. It should be understood, however, that the sheet 26 may be stitched in place, if desired. y

I claim as my invention:

1. An article of footwear, comprising an upper lining and a sock-lining stitched together all around the sock-lining, a platform and/heel unit underlying the sock-lining, and a unitary tread sheet extending integrally under the platform and heel unit and integrally upward all around the article and over the upper lining and secured to the top edge cf the upper lining all around the article, said sheet having smooth continuity of extent from the plane of the tread surface of the article to the top edge of the article all around Y the article.

2. An article of footwear, comprising an upper lining and a sock-lining stitched together all around the sock-lining, a unitary sheet having a portion extending integrally over the full tread area of the article and integral portions extending upward all around the tread portion, said upward extending' portions ofthe unitary integral sheet covering the full area of the upper-lining all around the article and being secured `to the top marginal portion of the lining all aroundV the article, a foot-supportingmember interveneV shoe yall around the shoe and extending integrally overcthe, full treadarea ofthe shoe as a tread,

an' upper liningstitched tol the unitary integral sheet all around the top edge of the shoe, a socklining stitched to the lower edge of the lining all Varoundthe shoe, a foot-supporting unit intervening between the sock-lining the tread vportion of the unitary integral sheet, and means extending Y across the forepart of the shoe from the opposite top edges of the upper, said unitary integral sheet having smooth continuity of extent from the .top edgeA of the shoe-to'theplaneof the tread Y Number Name Y Date 1,128,902 Rawlings Feb, 16, 1915 r 1,575,004 Robertsonl Mar. 2,.,1926 2,329,819 yBraun Septj2119fl 3 FQRELGN PATENTS, Number. l Country n v Y Y DateYV 558,884' Erance Sept; 4, 1923 Y 771,199, Franoe O'ct;[ ,2, 1934 Y $32,914:"V

surface all around theshoe;

ROY MALING.

REFERENCES CITED Y Y are of record in the f The following references le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS France OCt; Y6', '1938, 

